I am a bit of an armchair economist groupy. I was never a numbers girl in school but I find a certain satisfaction in trying to figure this stuff out now. I wish I had a better head for it but I am getting so I can make sense of it if I give it time. One of my favorite pastimes is reading the predictions. You know the ones I’m referring to. The system will collapse on this day or this month. This stock or commodity will soar. Inflation will rule, unless of course it’s deflation or stagflation or some mutant combination of all three. If I had the time, it would be fun to keep track of all the predictions and then read what the prognosticator had to say when he or she was wrong.
So here is my investment advice based on my all I have learned in the past five years.
1. My house. Every dime I spend to make my house more comfortable or more energy efficient pays big benefits now. I think the benefits will only increase down the line. Every one minute I spend keeping my home orderly and organized is two minutes not wasted looking for stuff. Today my house is a cluttered mess. I feel out-of sorts and unproductive. I hate that.
2. My health. I’m not a kid anymore. I can’t afford to neglect my body. I just don’t recover like I used to. I want bacon every morning but I eat the oatmeal. I would rather not be tied to cholesterol medication but I have a family history of deaths from hearth attacks in late 50′s or early 60′s. I’m not taking any chances. I walk when I would rather read and refuse seconds on the pie. I have no self-control when it comes to junk food so I just don’t keep any in the house.
3. My community. Church and PTO, town meetings and small businesses, they take time and money but small towns run on volunteerism and sacrifice. If I want this town to work post peak, I need to do my part to lay the ground work now.
4. My family. Be nice to your kids and your partner. The family picture of blown kisses as you all rush out the door to spend your day apart is not likely to hold up. Quality time is important but quantity matters too. Working together, playing together, even fighting together is necessary for a family to work.
5. My friends. I have the best friends in the world. I have trouble separating friends from family. When the chips are down, I want friends I trust around me and I don’t think you learn that trust if all you do together is shop or party. I think you need to work and laugh and sacrifice with and for each other.
I have no idea when TEOTWAWKI is going to happen. Maybe today and maybe never. I do know that I have a limited time on this planet and I want to enjoy it. I have some financial investments and I hope they will provide me with a comfortable retirement (assuming comfortable involves shoveling chicken s…t and harvesting vegetables) but those investment could disappear any time. My house, my health, my community, my family and my friends have staying power. That’s where I put my energy.
April 22, 2011 at 9:50 am
Hehe, they say an economist is an expert who will know tomorrow why the things he predicted yesterday didn’t happen today.
You’re absolutely right about the investments you’re making. All of those things will improve the quality of your life whether times get tough or not.
April 22, 2011 at 10:35 am
Well said, Kathy. Brava!
April 22, 2011 at 12:19 pm
I was certainly not interested in numbers all through education right through grad school. Reading a lot of information on the net and a few books recently published has helped me understand what happened to us before and after 2008. Maybe you just need the right motivation to try to understand anything, I don’t know.
We’re going to have beautiful weather for Easter weekend and I hope you and all the readers have a lovely holiday. If you don’t celebrate a particularly holiday may you enjoy your spring weather!
peace to all, Shamba
April 22, 2011 at 2:54 pm
100% on the investments. We had this talk just last night, because I am a commodity news junkie and tyr (like you) to figure out the rest of the economic news. I had panicked a bit, but after the discussion, I was reminded that what we do is the best investment for our future that there could be.
April 22, 2011 at 4:29 pm
Great post. Makes me wonder more about where to put investments. I’m a prepare for the worst hope for the best type. Part of me wants to pull everything out of the market and stash it in a mattress, and part thinks that would be crazy. You had an earlier post that your investments were your plants and buckets and storage and that’s where I’m trying to go, but living near a big city if TEOTWAWKI hit, none would be helpful, even if I went to the extreme or arming myself. This country girl could move in a NY minute, but the city hubby whose also half in/half out can’t even imagine doing it. Prepare for the worst and hope for the best.
April 22, 2011 at 11:19 pm
Kathy, your blog is like a breath of fresh air. I’m 25 and about a year ago read a book on investing in gold and silver. In doing so I was introduced to our country’s economic condition and the real value of money (au+ag) and not currency (dollar).
The same appetite you have for preparedness I have for studying economics. However while I’m eating a microwavable dinner for one you have prepared a full course meal for your community.
What are some ways that I could begin to introduce myself to preparedness and help out in my town?
There are multiple co-ops in the area and was thinking of sponsoring one. I’ve also considered investing in a solar panel and plan on starting a garden. Also how do you assimilate with the rest of your surroundings that are completely oblivious to what’s going on around them (friends/family)?
Maxine and anyone who is interested, look into reading Mike Maloney’s Guide to Investing in Gold and Silver (Barnes and Noble). In November 2009 I starting purchasing PHYSICAL silver at $15 and it just reached $46.
They say money can’t buy you love so thank you for the love that resonates in your words.
April 25, 2011 at 5:37 am
I’m not sure where to start Rio. The Co-op is a good bet as it will get you involved with a group of people with a more community minded individuals. Most states have a preppers group. You can go on-line to find one in your local. Be forewarned that many are heavy on the artillary. A good permaculture or gardening group is really motivating and an excellent source of seeds and plants. Mine welcomes beginners and is very generous with tools and advice. There are several on-line groups devoted to prepping that you might want to check out. Silent County is one and Sustainable Country is its sister site more devoted to sustainable living. Best of luck.